Climate change is defined as a persistent alteration in the state of the climate, identifiable by changes in the mean and/or variability of its properties over extended periods, typically decades or longer (IPCC, 2012). Already, it is intensifying the frequency and severity of natural hazards, primarily those weather-related, while simultaneously increasing the vulnerability and diminishing the resilience of populations and societies (UNISDR, 2015). Specific regions, like Southeast Asia, are disproportionally affected by the convergence of climate change impacts and potential disaster risk, driven by socio-economical, environmental, and institutional factors.

The Project, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission, aims to support Partner Countries of Region 6 (Asia) by improving their capacity to provide academic offers that will appropriately prepare the new generation to use geomatics for disaster risk reduction (GeoDRR). This focus is directly aligned with key global sustainability frameworks:

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs)

The initiative is a targeted academic response to critical development goals:

• SDG 13: Climate Action: The project directly supports the integration of climate action into national policy by focusing on disaster risk reduction (DRR). By acknowledging that climate change impacts both the frequency and intensity of disasters, DRR efforts become a fundamental component of climate change adaptation and mitigation, especially in the most vulnerable countries.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Enhancing resilience against natural hazards is essential for achieving sustainable and safe human settlements. By developing highly-skilled human resources and a Masteral program in GeoDRR, the project builds the academic and technical infrastructure needed to design more resilient urban and rural environments.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The initiative specifically addresses the disproportionate impact of climate change and disasters on disadvantaged and marginalized groups. By building national capacity to produce "solution providers" and focusing on the needs of the most vulnerable, the project directly supports the goal of reducing inequalities within and among countries.

Laudato Si' Goals (LSGs)

The project’s academic mission resonates deeply with the ethical and ecological imperatives of the Laudato Si' Goals:

• Response to the Cry of the Earth: By developing expertise to mitigate the physical harm from climate-driven disasters, the project is a concrete response to the damage inflicted on the environment and its inhabitants.
• Resilience and Empowerment of Vulnerable Communities: The program’s ultimate goal is to equip specialists who can serve communities, particularly in the Philippines—ranked 9th globally in the 2019 World Risk Index—where the combination of geophysical and weather-related hazards (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons) demands robust preparation and response systems.
• Ecological Education and Spirituality: The development of a Masteral program in GeoDRR aims to bridge the gap between societal needs and academic offerings. This educational initiative fosters a highly-skilled workforce proficient in information technologies and technical fields, promoting a problem-solving, scientifically-informed approach to ecological challenges.

Addressing the Capacity Gap

The Philippines, highly exposed to both low-frequency, high-impact geophysical hazards and common, destructive typhoons, has adopted key frameworks like the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan 2011-2028. These plans underscore the critical role of earth observation sciences in prevention and mitigation.

However, a significant capacity gap persists: the country performs poorly in producing “solution providers”—experts who can effectively deal with current societal needs (Philippine National Development Plan; World Bank, 2012). This is a result of curricula inadequacy in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The project directly addresses this by inculcating the capacity in Asian partner HEIs to develop and deliver a Masteral program in GeoDRR, ensuring graduates are highly-skilled, produce relevant knowledge, and facilitate sustainable development, especially for vulnerable populations.